The Caravan Towing Guide:1 - National Caravan Council

BREAKAWAY CABLE
All caravans with an MTPLM greater than 750kg must be fitted with brakes. Above this limit and below 3500kg
MTPLM, all caravans must also be fitted with a breakaway cable. On accidental disconnection of the caravan from
the car, the function of the breakaway cable is to apply the caravan brakes and then release.
It is a legal requirement that a breakaway cable is fitted and properly attached.
Ensure that the cable is routed directly to the car without loops or kinks and through any guides in the caravan
drawbar. Always replace any damaged cable with the relevant manufacturer’s spare to ensure correct function.
The cable should be looped through any large diameter hole or loop in or on the towbar and then clipped back
on itself. The cable hook should NOT be clipped directly to that hole as this may lead to premature failure, unless
the cable is designed for direct attachment. If there is no suitably sized hole or loop in or on the towbar, the
cable must be passed around the neck of the towball, beneath the coupling head and then clipped back onto itself.
The breakaway cable should be long enough so that it does not
attempt to apply the brakes whilst in motion, particularly around
corners, but not so long that it can contact the road or become
wrapped around some part of the front of the caravan when in use.
Ensure that the cable is not/cannot be entangled with the electrical
cable and/or any external stabiliser in place.
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